It's easy, as mothers, to focus on the kids, the husband, the housework and go a week or longer without thinking of ourselves and our own creative interests. Then we sit down to do something creative and it just doesn't flow well. Why is this? Creativity needs to be exercised in order for it to stay in top shape. Ignore it and it will wither. I believe that a creative person will always be creative but as moms, we need to be able to pick up where we left off and get something done before our attention is needed elsewhere. How do we keep our creative mojo in shape even when we can't use it as much as we'd like? Here are some tips:1) Foster your sense of imagination.
Run fantasy situations through your mind. If you're sitting in traffic, think about what would happen if your car broke down. What would you do? What would happen? You might be surprised where your mind will take you - just keep an eye on the road while you imagine your story! When you fantasize often it will be easier to sit down and write about another life, or visualize a scene to paint when the time comes.
2) Read when you can.
Along the lines of fostering your imagination, reading will allow you to let you mind float along and follow a story that you don't have to make up. Reading keeps your mind attuned to grammar rules, format, and a lot of technical things you might not even realize you're picking up on. So when you sit down to write, if you are a writer, the nit picky stuff will come easier to you, allowing yourself to focus on the creating instead of the editing.
3) Let yourself play!
Get down on the floor with your kiddos and play! Finger paint with them, smell some crayons. When you read stories to them, look at the pictures. Take some time to forget being serious and lighten up. Put some music on and dance. Playing will help you relax. Creativity blooms when the mind is at ease and open. Who can sit down and make art with the weight of the world on their shoulders? Well, unless you're into art filled with angst - if that's your bag you're likely reading the wrong blog :)
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3 comments:
I have to say I think having my children really help to "nurture my spark" I can act silly and its "OK" because I am playing with the kiddos...but when they get older I will just be an embarasment lol.
It's so true that you have to exericise creativity to keep it alive and kicking.
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